PARIT BUNTAR, Nov 25 — There are eight depots of disaster basic necessities in several states for areas at risk of being cut off during disasters, said Social Welfare Department (JKM) director-general Datuk Che Murad Sayang Ramjan.
He said the depots are in Bedong, Kedah; Muar, Johor; Sungai Buloh, Selangor; Marang, Terengganu; Kemumin Pengkalan Chepa, Kelantan; Kuantan, Pahang; Kota Samarahan, Sarawak; and Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, adding that the department has also 11 state stores and 119 district stores, 65 mini depots, and 562 forward operating bases.
“The department has 5,789 officers and personnel stationed at relief centres in the country, in addition to 5,744 department volunteers.
“Many states have opened relief centres to house flood evacuees and I have contacted every state department director to secure the latest information and till now, the situation at all centres are under control,” he told reporters after the close of Pantuk Tirai @ Madani Adopted Village programme at Dewan PDT Taman Sri Tenggara here today.
He also said JKM has received 50,000 units of retort food packs prepared by the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) for distribution at relief centres.
“In the 24-hour period after centres are opened, we will provide the food in retort packs first before we activate communal activities to prepare food for evacuees,” Che Murad added.
